The W Osaka stood out in more ways than I can explain. Designed with traditional Japanese elements, it offers a mix of luxury and convenience. Located on the vibrant Midosuji Boulevard, you’ll surely be struck once you feast your eyes on this chic hotel. Overall, the W Osaka is a great hotel if you’re looking for a luxury stay while visiting Osaka, Japan.
Before heading to Japan, check out my first-time solo travel tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip.
I opted for the Wonderful Guest Room, room 2116 to be specific. The room was super spacious and had amazing views of the city, a solid mini-bar (which I did not touch), along with state-of-the-art amenities.
The W hotel also boasts a variety of amenities including a fitness center, pool, and multiple dining options. The initial entrance from the main boulevard is filled with bright lights, making you feel like a star upon arrival.
The hotel is near key attractions like Shinsaibashi-Suji shopping street and many great restaurants. If you’re a ramen connoisseur like myself, I’d recommend checking out the incredible ramen at Torisoba Zagin Niboshi across the street.
Key Takeaways
- The W Osaka blends modern design with traditional Japanese elements
- Wonderful Guest Room suite is a great room to select
- Conveniently close to Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori
- The DJ at Mixup bar is amazing
- The fitness center and pool are state-of-the-art
- Slippers and bathrobe are very comfortable
- Cool Osaka Pixoroma design details
W Osaka Overview
W Osaka is a very modern and luxurious hotel. With its unique architectural design by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando and impressive art by Seitaro Kuroda, you’ll be sure to have a unique experience.
There’s a very sleek and modern design, combining Japanese elements while maintaining a connection to the cityscape. Kuroda’s art installations incorporate bright colors and bold patterns, which give a super nice contrast to Ando’s minimalist architecture.
Overall, I felt a sense of joy and wonder as I wandered around every corner of the W Osaka hotel. There’s a very urban and hip vibe throughout the hotel with a dash of luxury.
My Stay in Room 2116 at W Osaka
I stayed in room 2116 at the W Osaka Hotel. This is known as the “Wonderful Guest Room” suite. The room’s design was so great that I had to snap pictures and write a review. The view, comfort, and attention to detail through the room were incredible. And in classic Japanese fashion, the utilization of space was unmatched.
Wonderful Guest Room Features and Design
As soon as you walk in, there’s a very clear open-concept layout. The bathroom and tub are essentially all in one room, only separated by a sleek hanging circular mirror and sink countertop.
In the center of the room is 1 King Bed with what I imagine to be at least 600 thread-count bed sheets. A large flat-screen TV sat on a fully covered glass wall, giving the room an even more spacious feel.
When you open up the closets on each side, you’ll also see an awesome pixorama design of the Osaka cityscape. It incorporates the W hotel branding and gives you a retro video game vibe of the city which was a very creative design detail.
The bathroom featured a very cool rain shower, a separate bathtub in its own room where the sink was, and the toilet tucked away just to the left, hidden behind a wall. The seat on the toilet was even heated! I swear, the Japanese have the best toilets around.
Comfort and Amenities
The King bed in room 2116 was extremely comfortable. I booked 1 night at the W hotel just before my flight back to the States as I wanted to relax in style before my flight. If you’re anything like me, you’ll know it helps to rest up before a long flight. The button-controlled blackout curtains helped me get the rest I needed.
The room also had tons of toiletries available with the W hotel’s signature bold font everywhere. The black bathrobe and black W hotel branded slippers were also super comfortable. So much so that I took a pair back with me.
As a big coffee drinker, I was very pleased with the Nespresso machine setup and also the electric kettle. Had I not been partying for the entire week in Tokyo, I would have taken advantage of the fully stocked mini-bar. They also had some fresh pressed juices in these sleek-looking glass bottles.
And if you’re a techy like me, you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty of USB charging ports and type A outlets (2 flat plugs). There was also a work desk facing the city with charging ports so you could work with a view. Relaxing on the couch also made for a comfortable work setup.
The View from Room 2116
Let’s talk about the view of Osaka, Japan. The view from Room 2116 was incredible. Located on the 21st floor of the hotel, the room faces west (opposite side of Midosuji Boulevard), offering incredible views of the Osaka skyline.
The large floor-to-ceiling windows really brought the entire city into the room, especially at night. Not only did it make for great photos, it also created a breathtaking view to enjoy Osaka from my room.
Exploring the W Osaka’s Hotel Facilities
If facilities are what you’re looking for, the W Osaka has it all. While I wasn’t able to get first-hand experience with every single facility, I did a full walk around, checking nearly everything out, and snapped as many photos as I could.
Dining Options
Some of the dining options are on the higher end. I mean, what else would you expect at the W Hotel? One of them is traditional Japanese teppanyaki at MYDO.
Living Room bar and restaurant is where I opted to eat. It’s located on the W floor where the welcome concierge is located to check in and check-out. It’s a great place to meet other hotel guests, vibe to the W live DJ sets, and grab a cocktail.
One thing I enjoyed was the little trio of snacks I was offered while I ordered a beer. The details of the beer bottles matched the bold-lettered toiletries throughout the room, along with the pixroma coasters to reflect the designs found in the room closets.
For a more international taste, Oh.lala offers a combination of Western and Asian cuisine in a chic atmosphere. They even have Sushi Okiyo if you’re in the mood for some high-quality sushi or MIXup if you want coffee and pastries.
The Gym and Pool Experience
The gym at the W Hotel is state-of-the-art. It features modern equipment for whatever type of workout you want to get in. It’s also open 24/7 which makes it super convenient to get your fitness on anytime you’d like.
You’ve got cardio machines, free weights, an aerobics area and they even include free oranges. There’s also a FIT Members area, reserved for exclusive access, although I’m not sure how to get it and Marriott doesn’t explain it.
When I asked to go behind the door, the concierge asked upper management and said no. However, I was still able to sneak a pic 😉
Next to the gym is the pool area. Fitted with neon lights, you’ll surely appreciate the sleek design. The modern aesthetic fits the overall vibe in classic W Hotel fashion, perfect for a relaxing swim.
Right next to the pool is the Wet Deck bar and outdoor lounging area. At night it looks amazing as it has an open-air concept that looks up at the west face of the hotel.
During the day, you can come out and enjoy some sun, or socialize at night from the Wet Deck outdoor lounge area. The Wet Bar is just on the other side of the glass. While it wasn’t open when I went, I can imagine how fun the vibe would be.
AWAY Spa and Wellness
If you’re looking for even more relaxation, look no further than the AWAY Spa. You can get a massage, facial, full body treatments, and more.
On top of these wellness treatments, the facility also features steam rooms and saunas. Whether you’re recovering from a hangover or just want to pamper yourself, options to relax after a day of sightseeing in Osaka are right at your fingertips.
Service and Experience
The overall service at the W Osaka was amazing. The staff was super helpful and accommodating from the moment I entered the hotel. The check-in and check-out process was fast and easy, and the initial welcome floor entrance was vibrant with the Living Room Bar, especially during DJ nights.
W Hotel Staff Interactions
From my time at the W Kuala Lumpur, I fully expected the service to transition to their Osaka location – and I was not disappointed. The staff was friendly, professional, and eager to help throughout my entire stay.
While I forgot the gentleman’s name at the Living Room Bar, he helped me with a charger. My phone was at its end and I asked for a USB chord for my phone.
What’s even more impressive is I hadn’t realized my phone needed charging. Had he not come up and mentioned it, I would have never asked. That’s the sort of service you can expect at the W Osaka and across all W Hotels.
Their ability to anticipate your needs before you can even think of them sets them apart from other hotels I’ve stayed at. Their Whatever Whenever credo rings true.
Check-In and Check-Out Process
Checking in at the W Osaka was super quick and easy. The staff made me feel right at home from the moment I stepped through the entrance. Not only was the check-in process quick, but my room was ready immediately, which was super nice having just arrived via Shinkansen from Kyoto.
The check-out process was also a piece of cake. The front desk handled everything smoothly and sent my final bill and invoice directly to my email, making my departure nice and smooth.
They even asked if there was anything else they could do for me before I departed which was a very nice touch. Smooth sailings from start to finish made my stay that much more enjoyable.
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
Check-out is at 12:00 PM.
Luggage storage is available. Up to 2 pets under 18 kg (39 lbs) are allowed per room (no cats) for an additional daily fee of $15+ per pet, just notify the hotel before your stay.
Finally, late check-out may or may not be available, depending on the influx of bookings.
Living Room Bar and DJ Nights
Imagine walking into a hotel and there’s a freaking DJ. Well, that’s what you get when you stay at the W Osaka. As soon as you arrive on the Welcome floor, you’re met with the Living Room Bar and if you’re luck, a DJ gets down.
From there, you have beer, cocktails, and food all being served right at the bar. The servers are all very attentive and help you with a smile.
Whether you’re a guest at the hotel, or just stopping by for a casual drink, the vibe at the Mixup Bar is a highlight of the W Osaka experience. The menu’s on a kindle style notebook, making it very easy to choose what to eat and drink.
Whether for a casual drink or a lively night out, this bar provides an enjoyable experience for guests.
Prime Location and Accessibility
Location, location, location! If you want to explore the city from the heart of Osaka, then you’re in the perfect spot. Honestly, I had no idea about the location of the W when I booked it. It just so happened to be near key areas I wanted to be close to, like transportation and shops.
Proximity to Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori
The W Osaka is located on the lively Midosuji Boulevard and close to Shinsaibashi Station. Shinsaibashi is a popular shopping area, which I didn’t realize at first until I started to see all of the luxury stores. There’s even a Tesla showroom right next door!
Dotonbori on the other hand, is one of the main attractions I’d recognized from social media. The bright lights and Dotonbori canal are a must-see tourist attraction.
Flooded with tons of people searching for the perfect ramen, a cool dive bar, a top-rated restaurant, over-the-top giant crab designs, and awesome neon lights. There’s something for everyone in the Dotonbori district.
Heck, you might even run into Spiderman! I swore he lived in New York.
Am I in the multiverse?
Ease of Access to Public Transportation
Being near Shinsaibashi Station makes it super easy to get around Osaka. Considered to be one of the major metro hubs in Osaka, you’re able to connect to various parts of the city and get right back to the W hotel without much hassle.
You can also catch the bus, or grab an Uber like I did when I went to visit the teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka. Had I not been crunched for time, I would have tried using the Osaka metro to get there.
If for whatever reason you don’t have your cell phone, the W Osaka can provide you with a map of the surrounding area to make getting around easier.
Payment and Currency Exchange
Japan is as futuristic as they come when it comes to payment methods. You can pay with VISA, MasterCard, and even your American Express cards. So if you have a great travel rewards credit card you want to use to accumulate more points, this would be a great time to use it.
And of course, you can always use Japanese Yen at the W. But let’s say you have some U.S. dollars or AUD you want to exchange. What do you do then? Lucky for you, the W Osaka also has a currency exchange.
Or if you want to use your Marriott Bonvoy points to book your room, you can use that as well. Whatever you need to use in terms of payment is available either at the W Osaka or just nearby on Midosuji Boulevard.
Final Thoughts on My Stay at W Osaka Hotel
Overall, I have to say that my stay at the W Osaka Hotel was short but sweet. I’d come back next time I’m in Osaka. The location was amazing, the first-class amenities, and vibe were just right, and the service from beginning to end was outstanding.
Who Should Stay at W Osaka Hotel
It’s no surprise that the W Hotels seems to cater to a younger demographic. While I believe everyone can stay here, I wouldn’t recommend it to elderly folks or to those with kids.
It’s not a party hotel, but with DJ nights at the Mixup Bar, I’m sure you wouldn’t want to have your kids around. The overall ambiance is designed for an adult demographic and especially great for first time solo travelers.
With that being said, if you enjoy a more nightlife vibe, the potential to meet other young professionals who enjoy a drink or two, or just enjoy the finer things in life, then the W Osaka is probably the right fit for you.
Business professionals could also benefit from staying at W Osaka as it offers a modern and trendy environment. So if you’re someone who wants to have shopping, nightlife, food, and tourist attractions nearby all while being in a modern yet elegant environment, then the W Osaka is probably the right fit for you.
Tips for Future Guests
I visited in November so Midosuji Boulevard had these amazing Christmas light displays already up. So if you want to experience the holiday lighting, cool weather with moderately low tourism, then this is a great time to visit.
I highly recommend booking the Wonderful Guest Room suite. The open concept, room flow, views, and room perks were luxurious and worth every penny.
Be sure to check out the nearby Shinsaibashi-Suji shopping street and of course Dotonbori for great ramen and food. And of course, stick around the W if you have a burn day and want to enjoy the wellness and pool amenities.
Finally, if you’re into a nice cozy bar with great craft beer, there’s a great spot in Shinsaibashi-Suji called Rock Bar Cherry Bomb.
Safe travels!
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